Wedding Dress Code Wording

Today’s weddings are just as much a celebration of the couple as the vows themselves, which means every wedding is a unique representation of style and personality. The wedding dress code will follow suit, which can result in some non-traditional requests.

Before we get into wedding dress code examples, let’s review where the wording should go. If your wedding ceremony and reception are taking place at the same venue, the dress code should be stated at the bottom right or center of the wedding invitations If your ceremony and reception are in separate locations, the dress code should be stated somewhere on the reception cards.

Traditional dress code wording still applies today and will be the most widely understood among your wedding guests. Here is a list of more traditional wedding dress code wording. (Read Wedding Dress Code 101 to see explanations for each.)

Casual

Cocktail Attire, Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual

Beach Formal

Formal Attire or Black Tie Optional

Black Tie

White Tie

When trying to communicate a non-traditional dress code, try to make it as clear as possible. This might require a line of explanation below the dress code. Here are some examples of wedding dress code wording for unique situations:

Festive Attire
Semi-formal attire with a touch of holiday cheer!

Roaring 20s Attire
Check out The Great Gatsby (2013) for inspiration.

Casual Picnic Attire
The service will be held on grass. Please wear appropriate shoes.